Introduction: Alcohol use is known to affect nearly every organ and system of the human body. Long term, excessive use of alcohol has been linked to structural and functional abnormalities of the heart and consequent morbidity and mortality. Aims and objectives: This study aims to evaluate the echocardiographically detected structural and functional myocardial changes particularly left ventricular mass and left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in alcoholics and compare these with non-alcoholic controls. Materials and methods: This is a case control study, spanning 2 years, carried out in 75 alcohol users, with 75 alcohol free persons as controls. Their history (including detailed drinking habits), clinical examination, laboratory parameters and 2d echo/cardiac doppler findings were recorded and analysed. Observations: Cases had higher tobacco use and lower fasting blood sugar than controls(p<0.001). End diastolic measurements of interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular internal diameter and left ventricular posterior wall thickness as well as left atrial diameter and LV mass were significantly higher in cases. LV size and LVM index increased with duration of alcohol use, daily amount and lifetime consumption. Ejection fraction was ≥55 in 74.67% alcohol users, while it was ≥55 in all controls. Ejection fraction was negatively correlated with duration as well as daily and lifetime consumption of alcohol (p<0.0001). Among alcohol users, 6(8%) had dilated cardiomyopathy, 14(18.7%) had possible DCM and 55(73.3%) had no DCM. Conclusions: Alcohol users showed a trend towards LV dilatation and diastolic thickening of interventricular septum and LV posterior wall. Hence, 2d echocardiography would be an effective tool in screening of alcohol users who are asymptomatic, but at risk for cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]